Records: Lakers 2-1; Hornets 3-0
Offensive ratings: Lakers 107.9; Hornets 108.5
Defensive ratings: Lakers 100.3; Hornets 94.1
Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Kwame Brown
Hornets: Chris Paul, Mo Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, Tyson Chandler
Lakers Notes: Andrew Bynum is off to a hot start — after three games his PER is higher than Kobe’s — and we’ve all been quick to heap well-deserved praise on him for his off-season conditioning work and his more aggressive attitude. But something overlooked is what a good job the Laker guards (plus Walton) are doing getting him the ball in a position where he can succeed. If Andrew has to give up a lot of position to get the possession, he becomes less effective. His length makes him unstoppable near the hoop but at eight feet out he is no KG. But the Lakers have recognized when he has gotten good position deep and rewarded him with the ball. I hope that continues.
The Hornets Coming In: To get some insight on the Hornets and the franchise, I asked Ron of Hornets 24/7 about his team:
It’s only a couple of games into the season, but has what you’ve seen made you think this team can take the next step?
Yeah, so far, so good. I don’t think the Hornets have been properly tested yet, having faced three short-handed opponents, but I’m loving the look of this team. The ball movement has been excellent, and unlike last season, we’re now considered to be a pretty lethal shooting team. The defense is also looking real solid. I’ll be shocked if Tyson Chandler doesn’t make the All-Star team this year. Seriously. He’s not playing around. We’ve also got some good depth. Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo and Rasual Butler can all score in bunches off the bench, while young ‘uns Julian Wright and Hilton Armstrong look promising.
How much does a team like the Hornets doing well (or the Saints, for that matter), mean to the city right now?
I think the Hornets doing well is important, but the city doesn’t know it yet. The Saints have deep roots, and their success will never go uncelebrated (is that even a word?). The Hornets will always have to work a little harder and market their product a little smarter if they hope to give New Orleans the same lift. I think they’ll win the city over though. The current squad has what it takes to do that.
Chris Paul has become an established star, but how is his game changing and improving entering his third year.
He apparently spent the summer working on his shooting a lot, although we have yet to see the fruits of that. He’s a year smarter and a year stronger. I think he better understands better how to pace himself and save his body for later in the season. So far this season, he’s really benefiting form having a solid supporting cast. A healthy Peja on one wing and a guy like Mo-Pete on the other makes his job so much easier. The defense has to stay home on those shooters and it frees up the lane much more for him. I doubt we’ll see any substantial improvement in any one area from Paul this season, but expect him to be a little bit better at everything.
Note That Would Interest Only Peter King: I’m hard pressed to think of a worse idea than this — Dennis Rodman coaching a WNBA team. (Hat tip to Matt at Detroit Bad Boys.)
Keys To The Game: Two hot teams coming in, which should make an interesting game this early in the season.
Both teams come in playing very well on offense, two of the best shooting teams in the league so far, and that likely will not change, so the team that steps up on the defensive end will get the win. For the Lakers, that will be the tough test of stopping Chris Paul (particularly off the screen-and-roll, which is their mainstay) — he’s averaged 18.7 PPG shooting 65.8% (true shooting percentage), plus 35% of his possessions end in an assist (9.7 per game). This tough task will fall to Farmar and Fish at first, but will test the Laker rotations behind them that have been good so far this season. The front line will get tested because Tyson Chandler has played will early on, grabbing 22.7% of the available rebounds while on the floor (Bynum is at 25% right now).
If the Laker defense can force some turnovers (10% of Paul’s possessions end in one) that can mean some easy baskets at the other end. On the other end, I’m not totally sure what to expect of the Hornets, this will be a big test for them. Then again, Denver should have been a test and the Hornets are 3-0.
One other key tonight — as Mike in the Mountain West pointed out — is the depth of the Lakers. The starters are pretty evenly matched, but if the Laker bench can do what it has done in the past couple of games, this can be another Laker win.
Tonight’s game: Where Scoring Happens: The big question tonight — can Luke Walton keep his streak of consecutive games with passes through a defenders legs alive? As for the game itself, I look for it to be up-tempo and high scoring. So bet the over. And I think the Laker depth gets them a win as they pull away in the third quarter.
Where you can watch the game: Game time is 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). In Los Angeles tune into Fox Sports Net, nationally you’ll need league pass or log on to the NBA web site, where you can follow the gamecast and, if you register, listen to the radio call. Also, if you’re familiar with torrents at all www.sport-scene.net has the games up for download the next day (thanks to Goo for that tip).
dee says
David West plays for the Hornets. Delonte West plays for the Sonics.
81 Witness says
I think Kurt has hit most of the keys to success for the Lakers on this one, but I’d like to present a couple of other scenarios.
1) Crash the boards. The Lakers have a definite rebounding advantage over this team, except at starting center and maybe PF. The Lakers cannot let the Hornets get those second attempt points as they will get killed by Predrag’s shooting and CP3 finding the open man.
2) Get Chandler in foul trouble early. Fish, Kobe and Farmar must not be hesitant to drive the ball and get some early contact against Chandler. After Chandler, the Hornets have little depth at center and will be dominated by Brown and Bynum. Armstrong is listed as day-to-day.
3) Play solid perimeter D. NO can shoot the 3 and the Lakers need to limit the amount of open looks on the wing for Peja and Mo Pete.
4) Continue moving the ball well. The Lakers need to continue making that extra pass and pulling NO defenders out of position for the easy 2. NO will probably want to slow the game down and the Lakers should not play their tempo.
5) PJ must use the bench. Since the Lakers are advised to be physical and play a running scheme, players will tire quickly. Go into the bench and use your depth Phil. The bench has shown their worth the last 2 games.
Kurt says
1. Thank you, correction made. I really need to try to write these things with the proper amount of sleep.
2. Great stuff. Particularly about getting Chandler in foul trouble.
Carter says
How do writers continue to get paid writing headlines on Kobe Bryant? When do they stop? Ric Bucher, Mark Stein, Chad Ford… all these morons know how to do is spread gossip. Give me some stories with depth fellas.
nomuskles says
Lakers games are amazing in Hi Def. We just got FiOS installed and all the Lakers games will be in Hi Def for me this year.
I’m looking forward to the well balanced offense we’ve been seeing the past two games. Hopefully it gets off the same start.
Question, when LO comes back, are we all assuming Luke comes off the bench? Why not Turiaf?
Goo says
5) If Ric Bucher writes a story but no one reads it, does it make a sound?
The sooner we stop reading them the sooner they stop writing them, they are really pulling things out of nowhere now (Joe Dumars had to lay some smackdown when someone said the Pistons were trying to deal for Kobe) and soon enough they’ll give up (atleast until the next 3 game losing streak happens)
I think the key for the Lakers is to get out to an early lead… Kobe has shown his willingness to pass and get the team involved when they’re up 10 but once they’re down 5 in the 4th quarter? Time to hoist some 3’s
Exick says
4. Because people keep reading them. Put the name Kobe Bryant in your story (and make sure your editor mentions it in a headline) and people click.
5. We’re assuming Luke comes off the bench (actually, I think it’ll be Odom at first to work his way back) because Phil and the rest of the coaching staff feel, rightfully, that Odom’s natural position is SF and he will be more effective there.
The Peja vs. Luke matchup is the most interesting to me. Despite his somewhat slow-footedness, Luke is a handful. Peja is not much of a defender at all and I really think the Lakers need to exploit that matchup. Aside from opening up lanes because the interior defense will need to collapse, making Peja work on defense is going to slow him down on the offensive end or get him in foul trouble and out of the game entirely.
kwame a. says
Great post and comments. I agree whole-heartedly about getting Chandler in foul-trouble, he avergaed 16 and 15 against us last year. Also, great point about post entry passes. We got rid of our worst post passer (Smush), but still have Odom. For whatever reason, he is a terrible post entry passer, I feel the two things that contribute are his hesitancy and his angles, hopefully when he comes back he can keep getting the ball i quick.
Exick says
8) I prefer Odom be on the receiving end of post passes rather than be the one making them. Posting Odom up was one of those things that we didn’t do nearly enough of last year.
Bobby Smith says
Kurt,
I like your point about PER not taking into account the fact that Bynum’s teammates are doing a lot of the work for him. Also, Bynum racked up some stats in garbage time against the Suns.
That said, I do think Bynum is playing very well and I wish P.J. would play him 30 minutes a game.
Any thoughts on when/if Bynum will move into the starting 5 spot this year?
The way I see, lets get him out there now and let him make mistakes and learn in the early part of the season. Besides, watching Kwame Brown ulcerate is painful.
Kurt says
10. I’m not a big fan of changing things that work, so while I’d like to see Bynum get more minutes (especially at the end of games) I’d keep Kwame starting for now. For that matter, I’d bring Odom off the bench for the first few games, until he plays his way into being a starter.
Travis Y. says
The defense is going to be the key all year. The Lakers have a great chemistry in the works with the two man games of Kobe and Walton in the first unit and Farmar and Bynum in the second unit.
I’m glad players are getting more involved and are stepping up to take shots and relieve Kobe of that offensive pressure. Did you see the defensive effort he gave against Utah? I mean does that not set the tone for the second half or what? Guys were busting their behinds and that starts with Kobe and Fisher setting the tone. I totally agree with JONESONTHENBA on the notion that a focused mindset dedicated to winning is finally here, ship up or ship out.
Finally, Chris Paul is the engine to this team. He has been making excellent decisions on the offensive end and almost never seems to be out of control. He hits that midrange jumper at such an amazing clip. Defending him and limiting his open looks will put us in a position to win the game. And please foul Chandler and make him earn his points. Don’t let him just run the floor blocking people, rebound over everyone, and dunk. The Lakers are physical this year so put a body on him and the Lakers definitely win tonight.
Bobby Smith says
11. Yeah, I see what you mean. I think it may be better over the long term to go ahead and get him in there and log more minutes, even at the expense of some mistakes or short term growing pains.
Something I found interesting–Kwame seems to be Bynum’s biggest supporter on the bench. He is always the first to stand and clap for Drew.
The Dude Abides says
I favor letting Kwame continue to start, but giving Andrew more minutes. Not having to defend against the oppositions’s starting center helps keep Andrew out of foul trouble. This can be taken advantage of in the 4th quarter, as was done against Phoenix and Utah, where a fresh Andrew faces the opponent’s starter.
Cary D says
Take it from someone who lived in Chicago, Tyson Chandler has a history of killing the Lakers.
I can’t wait to see Kwame and Andrew vs. Chandler go head to head. Who would have thought anyone would have said that line 3 years ago?
This kind of game is really exciting for a basketball fan, and truly shows how much better the West is than the East.
These 2 teams are considered 7 or 8 seeds, yet the young talent they put on the floor is quite remarkable.
I can’t wait to see Fisher/Farmar vs Chris Paul either.
Having the PG & C positions play well is just such a 180 from the previous 2 years. Here’s to this keeping up for the full 82.
DMo says
Keeping as little pressure on Bynum as possible should be a priority right now… the kid has had to deal with enough pressure already. Let Kwame start for a while and slowly up Bynyum’s minutes. The last thing we want to do is have Bynum start believing all the hype. The reason he has played so well is because he’s put in the effort. And, for young players, nothing kills the effort like excessive praise.
As for the Luke/Lamar thing… it’s a nice dillema to have, but I don’t think starting Lamar will siphon away as many minutes from Walton as we might think. I antincipate that they will spend a fair amount of time on the court together, with Lamar moving down to the 4 or Luke moving up to the 2 in certain scenarios. Honestly, positiions don’t matter quite as much in the triangle, because when it’s run propperly, everyone is moving around a lot anyway. That’s why the term “point-forward” was coined for Pippen. It would seem to apply well to Luke also.
kwame a. says
Exick: I hope Phil saw your post, because Lamar on the block with Turiaf at the high post will be a nice weapon, and allow kobe to stay on the wing.
Cary D says
It’s funny how everyone thought Lamar would play the point-forward role as Scottie did. In all reality, it really is Luke that excels in this role. Lamar’s length and versatility (left-handed) really are better served by the basket. Lamar on the wing is very stagnant.
Fish, Farmar, Luke, and Kobe should be the only ones dribbling on the perimeter.
Gr8dunk says
Average season ticket for Lakers game is nearly $90,
===============================
highest in the league
============
Lakers fans will pay big bucks for tickets this season, whether Kobe Bryant remains in Los Angeles or not.
The average price of a Lakers season ticket is $89.24, highest in the NBA, according to Team Marketing Report’s survey released Tuesday. That was an increase of 4.5 percent from last season.
Lakers owner Jerry Buss said last month the team would look to trade Bryant, who criticized management and asked to be dealt last spring. But fans likely would prefer to have the two-time NBA scoring champion in town, since a family of four shells out an average of $453.95 a night to see the Lakers, also tops in the league, according to the survey’s Fan Cost Index.
The Fan Cost Index is based on four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps. The league average is $281.90.
The average NBA ticket price climbed 3.6 percent, an increase of about two dollars, to $48.83.
The New York Knicks charge an average of $70.51 to watch a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004. Boston’s average ticket rose slightly to $65.43, and Chicago ($63) is fourth after a 15.3 percent increase.
The Hornets, in their first season back in New Orleans, charge a league-low $24.58.
Deen says
2) Get Chandler in foul trouble early. Fish, Kobe and Farmar must not be hesitant to drive the ball and get some early contact against Chandler.
I have to triple emphasize this point. Bynum has not faced top notch defenders yet and can easily get into foul trouble . Hopefully Ronny can help the guards take it to the basket early.
Hard to believe that the Bull continually give up serious talent for the chimera of cap space. At least we don’t have Jerry Krause holding the Lakers purse strings.
Kurt says
The Bulls are going to have a hard enough time signing all the talent they kept.
Deen says
Another note from Knickerblogger stats is the Hornets defense has so far been very effective a limiting FT/FG to about 16, which is second best in the league. I think that again reflects heavily on Chandler and West covering the paint effectively.
Craig W. says
Now that Bynum has started to shine I am starting to hear about how he should get more minutes. Whoa there!!! We do not want a repeat of last year. Yes, he is stronger and yes, he is older (but only 20), however, we need to be careful that we don’t give him too many minutes too soon. He really starts fouling when he gets tired and his eagerness and intensity disappear. I say we give him 20-25 minutes a game and hold it at that for most of the year. Let him grow into this success before pushing him to the next level.
chris says
does anyone out there have Charter cable service? I have it, (Glendale) and they have not changed their Channel 9 or FSN HD into actual HD channels yet. I am planning to stop by their offices this week and gripe about it, but I was just curious if anyone else is experiencing this problem. (I do have an HD tivo box, and HD set, so that is not the problem).
re: Drew, best to keep things the way they are, it’s smarter to have Kwame out there in the beginning, better able to evaluate the opposing C playing, and keep ‘Drew out of foul trouble.
anyway, PJ does his rotations once the game has started based on match ups, and this usually means more time for ‘drew.
the PG tandem of Fish and Farma has their hands full tonight, can’t wait to see if they rise to the challenge.
Lamar should work his way back into the rotation with the second unit. besides, our second unit is practically a starting squad anyway, and LO can work his way back into game shape.
I really think the improved team play is because of the energy and focus of both Fish, and Ronnie. both play very hard, both have strong fundamental skillsets, both hustle and dive for loose balls, take charges for the team, etc.
add to this the way we know KB can play, it becomes contaigeous.
Ronnie needs to continue to be our starting power forward, he’s no slouch, he can board, shoot the nice midrange, his interior passing is fantastic, and he’s really just getting his confidence up to where he accepts that he can be a statrer on the LA lakers level team. he’s for real fellas, only gonna get better!
Mike in the Mountain West says
I think it’s probably a smart idea to keep Bynum coming off the bench for 20-25 minutes a game. Not only to make sure we don’t wear him out too quickly but also because that is where he is most effective. The only players that can effectively guard Drew are other big true centers. He’s just too skilled around the basket. Bynum is able to score almost at will when he’s got a weak defender, and sometimes defenders, on him. It’s that efficiency that helps us out so much and Bynum wouldn’t be nearly as efficient as a starter.
Craig W. says
chris,
I left Charter for Dish and have HD, but, as I understand it, the only people who get HD broadcasts are Warner Cable – I think they paid for it. That was the exclusive deal last year and I haven’t heard of any change – people would be advertising it if they had it.
Guess us HD people have to suffer until KCAL goes HD and forces FOX to go general with it.
Craig W. says
By the end of the year I feel Drew will be a handfull for any other NBA center. That said, I still feel keeping his minutes at 20-25 ensures the best performance from him. Besides we do have Kwame and Chris who can also give us good minutes. While it may be great to win a championship this year, I don’t think that is in the cards, and I want to make sure that next year we have all the horses and they are properly motivated and trained to pound down the league in 08-09.
Exick says
26) KCAL wouldn’t be dumb enough to sign an exclusive deal for Time Warner to carry their HD channel. They were just the first. From what I understand, Charter has already started or will start carrying KCAL in HD this year.
Chris, the KCAL HD channel is probably not the same as the regular one. Go through your channel lineup and look for it. When I had Charter (also Glendale) the HD channels were in the upper numbers somewhere.
Tony B. says
Those of you still using cable need to drop the coax and step away.
Kurt says
Great scouting note from the official Lakers Blog on the team site:
New Orleans likes to play at a very up-tempo fast pace. They like to get the ball in Chris Paul’s hands and let him push it up the floor and explore the opportunities. They will set a plethora of “DRAGS†(early/transition screen and rolls) at any location, any angle.
http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2007/11/06/hornets-scouting-report/
Warren Wee Lim says
I agree on Chandler being foul prone, so explore it. Chris Paul is like a Steve Nash without the brakes. He has eyes to the back of his ears but he is quite turnover prone as well (well, due to youth mainly). So explore these 2 weaknesses. I don’t think CP3 has been guarded nearly enough to think that he has no other option than to shoot. Make him shoot, not pass.
Andrew Bynum needs to be kept fresh game in and game out to improve his stamina. Remember, he was working out the whole summer so I guess he didn’t have that much rest. Well he’s 20 too but for the most part, giving him 20-25mpg works since it makes him believe that the starting center spot has to be “earned”.
Goo says
Kwame is out for tonight’s game, and Evans will be out for the next 2 as well
Warren Wee Lim says
Wow. CP3 with 6 dimes already with 6mins left on the 1st q. Doesn’t look too good.
Goo says
Chris Paul truly has eyes on the back of his head
Exick says
Apparently someone read FB&G after the 1st quarter and saw my post about going at Peja. 😉
harold says
almost the end of the 2nd quarter and Kobe took 7 shots… and has two blocks. If he keeps this up, he may get one of those AK stats one day…
at least 5 in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
i really hope he keeps this up. i’m really liking what i see, Kobe doing his part on defense and letting other teammates score.
Exick says
No basket but a helluva play to end the half by Ronny and Luke.
Goo says
even if he didn’t the points for the shot, how about for the celebration afterwards?
Warren Wee Lim says
CP3 had 6 dimes in the 1st 6 min and 1 dime in the next 18 mins of play. Think they heard what we said…
I can’t see the game but I’m looking at the box scores. I noticed Vlad going 2-4 from three pt country. That’s a welcome sign. Keep it up Vlade… Mitch is looking more like a genius by the day.
I’m glad to see the Lakers hustle back to trail only by 2. Its the second unit once more… Drew hauled 9 rebs in the 1st half. Cool.
Jason says
37 – He should’ve been awarded a point just for that.
chris says
ronnie is for real, I keep tellin ya’ll
Jason says
Chris Paul is a ridiculous ball handler, but he carries the ball over every other time down the court.
Mike in the Mountain West says
Peja shoots … 3 is good! Radmanovich answers and … he nails the 3!! Peja tries to go one better …. 3 is good!!! Oh .. my .. god! Cook tries to get in on the action and … he misses… big surprise. I HATE COOK!
hertagnism says
PJ needs to kick Brian Cook out of his rotation. It’s frustrating watching him play.
A-Hole Carolla says
Ugh. Looks like we’re still going to play half-assed against the non-marquee teams.
Mike in the Mountain West says
Cooks calling card, the whole reason he even has a job in the NBA, is because he’s a big man who can shoot the three. If he can’t hit that three he’s just a warm body on the court.
Our perimeter defense is just horrid.
rhys says
Chris Paul is a ridiculous talent. Lakers might not be having a good game but still, you can’t understate his contribution for the Hornets.
Paul says
Kobe has a pretty much perfect game: 30 pts, 6 dimes, 7 boards, and greater than 50% shooting and we still lose. Defense please. How do we get consistency? We’ve have a hard time defensively against teams with good point guards.
Mike in the Mountain West says
NO definitely has talent and I think most people are sleeping on them. Nonetheless, we allowed two players get personal records in the stat category they are known for being studs in, Stojakovic in 3’s made, and CP3 in assists. That’s just inexcusable, especially Stojakovic’s 10 threes! I was only able to listen to the game but the announcers said that at least 8 of those three’s came from uncontested shots. If true I don’t know what to say about that. Disgusting, just disgusting.
John R. says
Can’t catch every team on the second night of back-to-backs, I guess.
Warren Wee Lim says
There’s a problem playing with “weaker” teams. Our players tend to slack off a bit… Oh well, back to reality.
Goo says
43 – I’d like to blame the whole loss on that section of the game…but unfortunately Cook wasn’t the only one leaving Peja open all game
It seems like the Lakers tried a stop “Chris Paul from penetrating” type of defense and his supporting cast burned LA badly…surprising considering they just played the Suns a few games ago and let Nash do whatever he wanted to as long as he didn’t rack up the assists
harold says
can’t win when you let the other team shoot over 50% from downtown.
peja made 10/13 from the three. limit that to a more reasonable 40% or so, and we would’ve won.
Karl says
It’s never good when it’s the fourth quarter and you have both Cook and Sasha in the lineup.
JONESONTHENBA says
Not only not covering Peja on the offensive end, but also not attacking Peja on the other end. Peja is a defensive liability and you have to make them pay for that.
The Dude Abides says
Statistically speaking, if you’re guarding a wing, it’s better to force Chris Paul to make a 12-footer than it is to give up wide-open 3’s to Peja, Butler, etc. Vlad Rad kept getting lost on Peja. How do you lose that guy? He just sits there at the 3-pt line, and Vlad leaves him to protect the basket when we already have a shot blocker waiting there…ugh!
JONESONTHENBA says
Peja with ten threes. Where’s Rick Fox when you need him?
pgblooded says
Not that bad a game overall. Its just that Peja was too hot to handle. The way he was shooting I bet he can make those threes with his eyes closed.
Would have loved it if they made him bleed for those points, though. A little push here and a little shove there might have made the difference.
Back to the drawing boards on D, I suppose.
Just the same. . . GO LAKERS!!!
Craig W. says
The story tonite was ‘Covering Peja – Nobody’.
If I were Phil I would privately have a lot of 4 letter words for Luke Walton. I don’t care if someone is driving the lane – stay at home on Peja. This is something I saw Kobe do a lot last year and it hurt our team much more than you would think because it became a habit. Your job is to stay at home on a shooter and if someone drives the lane and dunks – well that’s someone else’s problem. This is one time all that ‘help’ defense really doesn’t help. One problem is this is Walton and it seems he just can’t help himself. After the 1st 6 3ptrs I think I would bench him.
Rob L. says
I agree the Lakers should have attempted to cover Peja better. Especially when it became obvious he was having one of those nights. But still, 8 times out of 10 you roll with same defensive strategy, he’s off and Lakers win.
Also, the Hornets are indeed good at limiting the FTA. Though I’d say that also had a lot to do with Kobe not being in attack mode. (Which is not a criticism of Kobe’s play tonight.)
One good sign form tonight: this is the second game in a row the Lakers have out rebounded one of the best rebounding teams from last year.
Andre says
Cook and Sasha have got to go. Can we send them to the D League?
JONESONTHENBA says
Ditto what Rob L. said. Most of the time that strategy leads to a win. But not if Peja is back to his form from a few years ago. If Peja is back as a shooter, you have to focus your strategy on taking him off that three point line. He’s not going to hurt you anywhere else, so just take that weapon away from him. I mean, during the championship years, the Lakers basically had Fox shadow him every single game. Plus you have to go at him on offense. He’s a complete defensive liability.
Karl says
It should be noted that Bynum didn’t commit a single foul tonight.
carter blanchard says
After Peja’s first 3 or 4 threes, Kobe should have taken it on himself and said, he’s clearly feeling it, I got him covered and I’m not letting him breath the rest of the game. That was an absurd display. Paul really is fantastic to watch as well.
Despite all that, it felt to me like we just got a couple bad bounces during the last 5 minutes, really killing any chance of making a final push. There was still a lot to appreciate out of that L. Farmar and Bynum continue perform nicely. Kobe for all his supposed unhappiness is about as productive as possible. Vlad’s stroke will come in handy, particularly as it -should- mean an end to Cook’s PT.
Bobby Smith says
I see what everyone is saying about monitoring Bynum’s minutes, I just disagree. He is playing well (and thoroughly out playing Kwame and Mihm) and that should be rewarded with more minutes. If Bynum is the type of player that will shut it down just because he gets to start then he does need to be shipped out because that is WEAK. Any true winner/warrior would relish starting and would go for blood and try to make the all star team. He just looks ready to me. I mean, when Lebron, Garnett, Kobe, T-Mac and others that made the jump got more minutes and started did they just shut it down and stop workinig hard, of course not. That’s not what winners do, that’s what losers do. Bynum may be young, but you guys seem to think he is as fragile as an egg shell–lets give him more credit than that, start treating him like a man, and up his minutes to 30/game like he has earned.
the other Stephen says
just from looking at the box score,
“One good sign form tonight: this is the second game in a row the Lakers have out rebounded one of the best rebounding teams from last year.”
“It should be noted that Bynum didn’t commit a single foul tonight. ”
i noticed these two things too. i was really curious how he’d do up against tyson chandler and co.
ryan says
I think they should have used the Rick Fox strategy on Peja, push him around and body him all game. It throws him off his game a lot. Oh well. Just get ready for Friday. That should be a winnable game.
AM says
I think David West quietly helped the Hornets a lot too. A number of times, Paul was running the S/R with Chandler, which the Lakers defended by having the big jump out and help while the guard chased Paul. After getting burned a few times on passes back to Chandler, West’s man started cheating a bit to prevent that play. Paul would then find West for a wide open shot. He only made 6 in the game (2 of them were threes), but it was enough to start keeping West’s defender honest. (We all know what happened on the other side of the court when Peja’s man came down to help …)
The alternative strategy — not leaving the man at the arc — might’ve failed too, though, depending on who was hot, as other commenters have pointed out. Either way, Paul and Peja had their team looking like the Phoenix of yore!
Jeremy says
I think parity is hitting the NBA. This is good for the Lakers.. How many teams can Kobe be traded to where after everyone agrees on the deal, his chances of winning the title are noticeably higher then where he is now. If he opts out in two years, is he going to sign a reduced contract to play for a team that is likely in a group of teams that have the chance to win it? I think he is likely staying. It would be good for him and the Lakers.
kwame a. says
I thought Bynum rebounded great. We turn the ball over too much, and that consequently hurts our defense.
Dissapointed in Phil last night, he should have called a timeout at some point and “reminded” the team about staying home on a hot peja (maybe after his 4th or 5th 3pter). On the other bench, B. Scott called a timeout after the Lakers MISSED back-to-back open 3pters. The Horets were up 8 and he still felt he needed to instill something into them. This team is youn, and I think IN-GAME adjustments will benefit the team and help them grow.
weston says
I didn’t get to see the game, but the main factor I could see from the box score is the FT disparity. NOR shot 20-22 and we shot 8-9, but the fouls were even. Anyone have any insight into how that happened? Were we not aggressive enough?
kwame a. says
59- Craig, I completley agree with you about ‘bad habits’ on D. That’s why I put the onus on Phi, he has to break those bad habits, and Walton and Kobe are two of the biggest offenders of losing their man when they help.
2nd Unit looks to be the real deal, will only improve when Walton assumes his role on the bench. Sure woulda been nice to have Lamar’s long arms in Peja’s face last night.
Mike in the Mountain West says
52. I was dogging on Cook’s offense not his defense of Peja. I watched the game on ESPN gamecast and when VladRad’s animated threeball in answer to Peja’s three pointer went into the virtual air i got excited because I thought there was a good chance it was going in, and when it did I let out a “Yeahhhhh” that scared my roommates but my heart sank when that ball appeared next to Cook’s mugshot and whenn it missed I was disappointed but none too surprised. Point being you can’t rely on Cook.
You are right however that our defense of Peja was horrible all around
chris says
I stopped by Charter this morning, (for Glendale area) they claim they are now in HD for both KCAL and FSN, so I’m going to check out the higher numbers, (maybe it’s just not listed in the ‘guide’ yet) and I’ll let ya’ll know if I find it there.
as a back up, I have an appointment for this friday in case I don’t find it…at least they claim they do have it…we’ll see.
re: the game last night-
while we lost, I am not dissapointed because I didn’t see any “QUIT” in this team. they kept clawing back, or trying to, and as one poster said above, we were just a few bad bounces away… let’s face it, luck does have an affect on the game, but you get more “luck” if you’re playing hard and agreesive. it seemed like in the end we were aiming and not shooting in rhythm.
lessons can be learned during the season, it’s the “QUIT” that would discourage me to no end last year. (main culprits were Smush and Cook, always more concerned about looking “cool”)
I think we are going to have a good season, Ronnie will continue to improve, maybe get the “most improved” this year, wouldn’t that be a nice surprise?
what if we got “most improved” and “best 6th man” awards?(Luke) we certainly could, and if we did, that would mean we had a great season, eh?
it’s a long season, we have great coaches, and a deep team for them to work with, so let’s keep on keeping on.
JoeM says
I want to echo the comments of many who criticize Phil for the
ridiculous non-defense on Peja. How difficult is it for a coach to
insist that a defender stay at home on him? You only have to tell
a player once, then you take him out if he can’t do it. I’m really
old and feeble, but even I can stand next to Peja on the 3 point
line. Even Cook, theoretically, should be able to do it. Somebody
on the bench should be able to stand next to him. Maybe Rambus.
The Dude Abides says
I’ll repeat and echo the same comments about Peja: there is a difference between occasionally leaving Phoenix’s 3-pt shooters wide open and leaving Peja, Ray Allen, Michael Redd, and Mike Miller open for uncontested threes. Stay at home on these guys, but cheat more in the lane when you’re playing Phoenix. And if you do stay at home on Peja, don’t let him fake you and step to the left to shoot the three. He’ll make that almost as often as an uncontested three.
exhelodrvr says
No Evans, no Odom available to Phil last night. He didn’t have a lot of options for covering Peja.
Gatinho says
The positive I took out the game last night was that the Lakers kept it closer than they would have last season. That would have been a blow out, but for the 2nd unit to once again fight their way back into the game to have the starters feed off some of that energy to begin the third is a positive trend.
Perimeter D was bad, but they took themselves out of the offense and started shooting threes way too early, something like 5:45 left. After outscoring the Hornets in the paint in the first quarter, they should have continued to pound it inside.
Lakers didn’t do a good enough job of making Peja work on the defensive end which, other than playing him physical, is the best way to take him out of his offensive rythym…
Brett F. says
I’ll be short and to the point:
Crap game for the Lakers however a nice call on the over. Won me some money.
kwame a. says
78- I thought we went ‘three happy’ too early as well.
77- There isn’t much to do when Peja is hot like that, however, having someone face guard him, or putting Kobe on him are just 2 of several things Phil could’ve done. Just saying, he doesn’t like to make in-game adjustments, but this team needs that type of direction. plenty of talent, just needs to be coached.
Carter says
I have a few comments about this team:
1. Luke Walton needs to play better to stay in the starting rotation. His shooting is off, and his defense isn’t the greatest either. I think 6th man is the appropriate role for him.
2. Turiaf should be a starter for the season. He has proven that he can play thus far. He has been efficient, hasn’t gotten into foul trouble, and he has a great chemistry with Kobe cutting into the lane.
3. I’ve never liked Cook or Vujacic as Lakers. That hasn’t changed. On or off players, mostly off.
4. I love the way Kobe has been playing this year since the second game. Plays well within the offense, shoots efficiently, tnacious on defense, and a leader on the court.
5. Farmar is an animal, and I would love to see more Java Critt.
That’s all I’ve got right now.